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PS4 PLAYER PATHWAYS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

September 15, 2016

PlayStation 4 have today announced the 24 footballers including three Canberrans who will compete later this month for the chance to win a 2-week trial with Sydney FC’s Youth side. The opportunity comes as part of the PS4 Player Pathway Award, a year-long search to find the most talented young footballer in the country.

PlayStation 4, in conjunction Football Federation Australia (FFA), recognised the need to provide a further avenue for young footballers to have their talent recognised and as such in 2016 launched the PS4 Player Pathway Award.

Throughout the PS4 NPL 2016 Season, coaches from every PS4 NPL club around the country were asked to vote on who they believed to be the top three footballers in their respective Member Federation, in accordance with a set of predetermined criteria to ensure that those players selected are those that have not recently been recognised under the traditional pathway.

Under the selection criteria, the player must be aged between 16-20 years old and must not have been registered with a Hyundai A-League club or their associated National Youth Team in the 2015/2016 PS4 NPL season.

The PS4 Player Pathway Award Camp will be held from 26-28 September 2016 at Valentine Sports Park. The 24 selected players will be put through their paces through a series of on-field and off-field testing, whilst under the watchful eye of one of the most decorated selection panels in Australian football. Keeping a watchful eye over all of the players, as well as selecting the ultimate winner, will be a judging panel comprised of:

• Former Socceroo and current Socceroos Assistant Coach – Ante Milicic
• Former Socceroo and Hyundai A-League coach, and (took out his coaching role at Brisbane City because as stupid as it sounds, some might think it could sway his decision) PS4 NPL Ambassador – John Kosmina
• Sydney FC Youth League Head Coach – Rob Stanton
• Former Socceroo, Chief Analyst for The World Game on SBS and Chairman of the PFA – Craig Foster

The winner of the inaugural PS4 Player Pathway Award will win a two-week trial with Sydney FC’s Youth League team, where, if selected, will be presented with the opportunity to be signed onto the team. All coaches and scouts from each Hyundai A-League club will be invited to attend the PS4 Player Pathway Award Camp.